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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Why Chelsea must copy Arsenal's example if Graham Potter is to emulate Mikel Arteta's success

The rise of social media means people are able to share their opinion on a global platform. On Twitter over the last few weeks, it hasn't been a particularly nice place to be if you're a Chelsea supporter.

Graham Potter has received plenty of criticism – and that is fair. To a point, anyway. Football managers are allowed to be criticised and plenty of them will be the first to admit when they make a mistake.

"As I said to the players, if you lose, you have to look at it, and if you've made a mistake or got things wrong, you have to analyse it and do better," Potter explained after the heavy defeat to Brighton in October. "That is part of our job, part of the process, and if we've got that wrong, I have to take responsibility and do better."

READ MORE: Graham Potter meets Behdad Eghbali ahead of transfer window and explains what has changed

Potter knows. Chelsea were terrible on the day. Especially in the first-half. They left themselves so open, with the midfield essentially non-existent. There was marginal improvement in the second period, but Brighton completely outplayed the Blues throughout the 90 minutes.

It was the 47-year-old's first defeat in charge of Chelsea. It was his 10th game, and six of them have been victories. Since then, the Blues have lost a further three games in all competitions. It's been difficult, but it's a big project for Potter. Some perspective is required.

You don't have to look too far away to see the benefit of sticking with a manager and trusting the process. Mikel Arteta at Arsenal is working wonders this season but around 12 months ago, the Spaniard was strongly tipped to lose his job at the Emirates Stadium.

Potter eluded to the "process" in his comments (see above) and it's a phrase he may dish out plenty in the future. It is fair. He plays a completely different system to his predecessor Thomas Tuchel and he has inherited a squad of players that could be massively changed in the upcoming transfer windows.

Tuesday evening represents a perfect chance for Potter and Chelsea. They take on newly-promoted Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on their Premier League return. Realistically, it's an absolute must-win if Chelsea want to finish in the top four this season.

It's an opportunity for Potter to regain confidence in himself and for the players to do likewise. Some of the younger players who have been impressing in recent weeks, like Carney Chukwuemeka, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson, are set for places in the squad. Whatever criticism there is for Potter, he has been generous with the opportunities he's handed to the academy stars.

Trust the process. Potter is going to be backed by Todd Boehly, so looking at the long-term picture is needed.

READ NEXT:

Behdad Eghbali takes on Chelsea exit plan, multi club, transfers and Super League alternatives

Josko Gvardiol signs, Joao Felix loan - Chelsea's best and worse case January transfer window

The addition Todd Boehly and Chelsea still want to make following Christopher Vivell appointment

Chelsea set to seal three transfers before January after medical completed for £80m spend

The eight January transfer decisions Chelsea must make as Todd Boehly and Graham Potter plan future

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